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KAITIAKITANGA — CARING FOR AOTEAROA'S NATURAL WORLD
Environmental news for Aotearoa New Zealand — for DOC rangers, conservation practitioners, environmental scientists, and anyone who cares about this land.
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land & farming
Land use, farming practices, soil health, and the relationship between food production and environmental outcomes.
RSS ↗Stay vigilant in spring for safe outdoor adventures
Spring is here with longer days and the promise of warmer temperatures. But with many of us taking a winter hiatus, NZ Mountain Safety Council has some essential advice for easing back into more adventurous hikes and tramps.
Doing the mahi for Tongariro fire recovery
Hundreds of hectares of weed and deer control have been conducted across the Tongariro landscape since last year's fires, but there's still much to do.
Clear traplines after successful predator control operation
Rodent and stoat numbers have dropped to almost undetectable levels across a remarkable biodiversity hotspot in Kahurangi National Park following a recent successful predator control operation.
Callers with conundrums – DOC’s unusual queries
A caller with a black cat on their doorstep, a request to deal with possum poop and a UFO falling from the sky all feature among the unusual recent calls to DOC's call centre.
Moratorium on new marine mammal permits
DOC has announced a 10-year moratorium on new marine mammal permits in the Banks Peninsula/Te Pātāka-o-Rākaihautū area.
Wider collaboration to preserve backcountry heritage
The Government is strengthening support for New Zealand’s treasured backcountry hut and track network through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOC and the Backcountry Trust, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced.
Loop linked again as work continues on Tongariro Northern Circuit
The full Tongariro Northern Circuit will operate as a loop this summer, but setbacks in construction of the new Oturere Hut have delayed the hut’s opening until mid-December.
Startling photos show possum forest damage
New monitoring work has revealed startling proof of possum damage to native mountain tōtara and kaikawaka/mountain cedar trees in a Mid Canterbury forest.
Digital hunting permit system hits major milestone
More than 53,000 hunting permits have been issued through a new self-service online system, surpassing projections and slashing administrative staff work, Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager says.
Ruahine ungulate controls were the ‘GOAT’
A coordinated approach for Ruahine wild goat control operations has indicated significant reduction in numbers, another step toward achieving zero-density goat populations in Ruahine Forest Park.
Stop pests hitching a ride this whitebait season
DOC is urging whitebaiters to help keep waterways pest-free this whitebaiting season by following Check, Clean, Dry advice.
Satellite trial puts focus on pest plant
DOC is using high-resolution satellite images to detect the pest plant Cuscuta campestris (commonly known as golden dodder) within the Whangamarino wetland and at Lake Whangape.
Rūnanga receives funding for community-led wetland restoration project
Te Taumutu Rūnanga will be able to advance its plans to restore the wetland area of Muriwai o Whata (Coopers Lagoon) thanks to recently announced funding of $521,733 from the DOC’s Community Fund.
First discussions held on Hahei Beach Short Walk opportunity
DOC staff have met with Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association (HRRA) for the first discussions on the opportunity to partner on reinstatement of the Hahei Beach Short Walk.
Bat boom around the Heaphy Track
Monitoring of long-tailed bats/pekapeka near the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park has shown a tripling of bat activity due to effective ground-based and aerial predator control.
Mātauranga Māori and western science align for predator-free in Whakatāne
Korehāhā Whakahau is a predator-free project in Whakatāne. It is creating employment opportunities for Ngāti Awa descendants to help protect native wildlife.
A call to action: Hunter-led conservation for the win
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has issued a call to action to Kiwis, encouraging people to get behind the mission to control wild goat numbers and help protect New Zealand’s landscapes.
Ngāi Tahu Farming selected as preferred operator to negotiate for Molesworth lease
Ngāi Tahu Farming has been chosen as the preferred farming operator for iconic Molesworth Recreation Reserve.
Drone bait pod ready for predator-free action
The latest Predator Free 2050 tool is a bio-degradable bait pod that can be distributed by a drone with incredible accuracy. It has been designed to help target introduced predators along sensitive boundaries or in remote areas.
New investment to boost Otago predator control
Otago is the latest region to benefit from the Government’s next phase of Predator Free 2050, with a $3.9 million investment to expand successful predator elimination around Dunedin, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
DOC on alert after H5 bird flu detection
DOC has plans in place and is closely monitoring the situation following the detection of H5 bird flu in a single migratory brown skua yesterday.
Hut life: where generations collide (and everyone learns the unwritten rules of naturing)
There’s something magical about staying in a hut. The smell of the old wooden walls, the sound of boots drying by the fire… it’s all part of the experience.
Huts with History – specialist Heritage Rangers move projects forward
DOC ranger Tim Groenendijk has a unique role, he’s ensuring that the heritage of the Lower North Island region is maintained for future generations.
Hefty penalty for cutting down protected native trees
A businessman ordered to pay $7200 in reparation for cutting down protected native trees near Kaiteriteri without permission can now be named.
No rats! – “best news ever” for rare kākāriki karaka
If there’s one thing that makes a DOC ranger smile, it’s hearing there are no rats detected in a valley where a critically endangered species lives.
Celebrate Matariki in Puketī ngahere
Lights, laughter, learning and kai will fill Puketī ngahere on 9 July as a community Matariki celebration brings together culture, conservation and whānau.
$2m funding boost turbocharges Wasp Wipeout
Wasp control across visitor hotspots and priority biodiversity sites will double, backed by a $2 million International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy boost, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Boost for predator control to protect endangered wildlife
Threatened native wildlife will get a reprieve from predators with a $14.1 million boost to predator control funding, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Collaborative wild deer management plan to protect Ruahine Forest Park
A new collaborative approach to managing wild deer in Ruahine Forest Park aims to reduce pressure on native forests while recognising the important role hunters and local communities play in caring for this special place.
$10m to accelerate predator free in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau is set to lead the next phase of Predator Free 2050, with a $10 million Government investment to expand predator elimination efforts across the region and develop new tools that can be used across New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and…
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